Process of making storage means for explosive fluids.



C. I. COLEMAN. PROCESS 0F MAKING STORAGE MEANS FOR EXPLOSIVE FLUIDS.

APPLICATION FILED JULY I2. 190?.

Patented Mar. 14, 1916.

Llvo

UNITED STATES;

PATENT OFFICE.

cLYnn J. COLEMAN, or NEW YORK, N. Y., AssIGNon 'ro Gennaio HUBERT, or NEW Yonx, N. Y

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar'. 14, 1916.

application med my 12, 1907. Serin No. 383,414.

To all 'whom t may concern Be it known that I, CLYDE J. COLEMAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at the borough of Manhattan, city of New York,

. in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented a certaln new andi useful Improvement in Processes of Mak-v ing Storage Means for, Explosive Fluids, of

' which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings, forming a part thereof.

M v invention relates to safety storage means for explosive fluids, particularly acetylene gas, and constitutes an improvement over my former patented invention covered by United States Letters Patent No. 822,826, of June 5, 1906, and has for its object to enhance the safety.

It is known in the art, as disclosed in my former patent above referred to, that a highly explosive fluid, such as acetylene gas, V

can be compressed and concentrated in an interstitial, porous, or cellular mass of dry or solid material, and that the explosive fluid can be safely conserved when thus concentrated, providing the pores, cells or spaces are not greater than a certain critical magnitude which is the limit of immunity to explosion for a corresponding given concentration or quantity of fluid stored. It is preferable, as also disclosed in the abovenamed patent` that the substance of the materizfl itself should inherently exert an occluding or absorptive concentrative influence over the explosive fluid, as the use of a substance of this nature will `greatly increase the safe storage capacity, and charcoal from the shell of the cocoanut is such a sul'stance.

la my prior invention the interstitial fluid-containing mass is contained Within a reservoir and is composed of disassociated o-r disintegrated solid particles which are compacted in the reservoir or container, the compacting being depended upon to ma1ntain the fluid-containing 4interstices at non explosive magnitudes.

In the present invention the flu1dconta1n ing interstitial mass 1s an lntegral sol1d,

thus obviating all possibility of shifting or or granules into a solid integral mass having fluid-containing interstices of non-explosive magnitudes, and also includes the incl osare of such interstitial fluid-containing mass in a container.

l My invention will be furtherlexplained by reference to the accompanying drawing, after which I shall point out my invention in claims.

The drawing shows, partly'in section, a. reservoir inclosing a solid integral interstitial mass. The reservoir or container A is formed of sheet metal and is preferably integral as shown. The filler B is a solid interstitial mass closely conformed to and completely filling the reservoir A. The filler Bis composed of finely comminuted material or minute solid particles held together or integrated by a binder of adhesive material so as to constitute an integral solid mass having fluid containing interstices of non-explosive magnitude. Preferably the material of the minute particles is of a nature having an inherent absorptive influence on the 'explosive fluid.

In carrying out the process a granular material, for instance, granulated cocoanutshell charcoal or, as'anotherexample. comminuted pumice stone, is moistened and thoroughly mixed with an adhesive solution which may he a solution containing from five to ten per centum of silicate of sodium, only suflicient adhesive solution being used to moisten the granules without V filling the interstitial spaces between the granules. The moist mixture is then introduced into the container or reservoir and is tamped or otherwise -compacted therein to produce a homogeneous mass throughout having fluid-containing interstices of nonexplosive magnitudes. W'hen the container has been thus completely filled with the damp mixture, heat is applied thereto to desiccate the mass and integrate the same to produce a solid integral block or single piece completely filling the contair er and precisely conformed thereto. The non-explosive magnitudes of the interstitial spaces in the solid mass will be permanently main-v tained by reason of the fact that any relative movement among the granules or particles is now rendered impossible. The application of heat may be conveniently accomplished by baking the filled container in an oven. The baking, besides thoroughly drying and integrating the mass, causes itI to expand and closely fill and tightly fit .the container, such expansion probably beingr duc to the efl'erresrrnt efi'ect oi the evaporated escaping moisture. 'lhe final result is a container or reservoir filled with a dry homogeneous stone-like solid having fluidcoutaining pores or interstires` of non-ex plosive magnitudes, such container and its filler constituting means for safely storing explosive fluids.

lf desired the dry granular material lnay be placed in the container first and then inoistened with the adhesive so-lution while within the container, but it is thought that it will usually be found most convenient to mix the adhesive solution with the granular nniteriallwtorc intrmluetion into the lcontaiuer.

lt is also to be noted that the process ot' forming the filler itself' does not necessarily involve the use of the container. A solid integral blot-.kofl the filler mass could be 'formed by compressing or coinpacting in other ways than in the container. Forexample, it is within the irocess to form a solid filler block ot'suita le'size and shape and then introduce it into a container or forni a container around it.

It is also within the broader scope of my invention to employ a-binder or cementing material which does not require the application of heat or baking to produce adhesion and unite the particles into an integral mass. For example, Portland cement might' be employed and the moisture removed by subjecting the moist mass to a vacuum. Or, as another modification of the process, a dry adhesive material could be employed and the mass rendered integral by heavyV pressure. In any case, only sufficient adhesive material is employed as will effect the integration o1" binding together of the granules or particles and not enough'to fill or obstruct-the interstitial spaces between the compacted granules.

Vhen the solid particles of the solid integral mass are ot' fiiiid-absoiptive and fiuid-coiicentrative material, :for example, charcoal oi' cocoanut-shell, the explosive fluid held in the minute pores ot' the material of the particles is in a much more highlyconcentrated state than that contained in- ,the interstices or minute intereommunicating passages of non-explosive magnitudes formed between the integrated or cenientedparticles. For example, the explosive fluid absorbed into the minute pores by inherent concentrativeinfluence of the material may be at two hundred or two hundred and twenty-five volumes of concentration -when that contained in the interstitial spaces is at about sixty to seventyfive volumes of concentration. The increased concentration of explosive iiuid within the pores is due to the inherent fluideolnrcnfrative .and absoritive efi'ect of the material employed, an is possible with safety because of the extreme minuteness of the pores. Both the pors and the interstitial spaces are ot' non-explosive magnitudes for the fluid of' the degree of concentration which they res )ectivelyl contain. 'lhe sensible or outwar ly communicated pressure is of course in both instances the same.

ules of yfiller material are compacted or tightly pressed together` and then, while under compression caused to be set or fixed in this position by adhesion of each particle to its neighbors. lhe result is lan integral interstitial mass in which the inter-- sticos have been reduced to the minimum permitted by the size ot' granules employed. Granules may be chosen lof ya size corresponding to the interstitial storage pressure desired.- The manner in `which the substantial uniformity of size is obtained is iinmaterial, but may be accom lished by screening out all particles excee ing o'riless than those of the desired size. It is of prime importance that the predetermined size limit should not be exceeded, as that would be dangerous, but the presence of smaller particles would only result in decreasing the total storagey ca acity. i

l-n carrying out my invention, the grani When the fil ed container isrtol be used for the storage of fluid the mouth thereof or entrance thereto is provided with any usual or suitable closure, adapted for' retainingthe fluid in the container under the desired pressure and for permitting the charging of thev container `with fluid and the withdrawal of the fluid for use.

It is obvious that various modifications may be made in the process above particu-1 larly described within the `vprinciple and,

scope of my invention. Claims i 1. The process of making a filler for containers for storing explosive fluids, consistingin mixing a granular material having interstitial spaces with sufficient vadhesive to bind together the 4granules while still vleaving free interstitial spaces, tightly coin-` determined size of granulation. and forming interstitial spaces with sulicient adhesive to bind together the. granules while still leaving free interstitialspaces, tightly compacting the mixture to reduce all the interstitial spaces to predetermined non -explosive magnitudes, an producing adheslon of the mixture while under compression yto form an integral interstitial mass having Huidcontaining interstices of predetermined non` explosive magnitudes in which the granules have to each other a fixed relation so that the interstitial spaces will be permanently maintained at the predetermined non-explosive magnitudes.

ing fluid-containing interstices of .non-explosive magnitudes and in which the granules have a fixed relation to each other so that the interstitial spaces will be permanently maintained at non-explosive magnitudes.

ing interstitial 4. The process of making a iller for containers for storing explosive lluids, consisting in moistening a granular material havs aces with al wet evaporative adhesive to hind together the granules while leaving free interstitial spaces, tightly compacting the mixture to reduce all the interstitial spaces to non-explosive magnitudes for a predetermined degree of concentration of explosive fluid, and drying the mixture while under compression to form an integral interstitial mass having Huid-containing interstices of non-explosivel magnitudes andin which the granules have a xed relation to each other so that the interstitial spaces will be maintained at non-explosive magnitudes.

5. The process of making 'a ller for containers for storing explosive iuids, consisting in moistening a granular material having interstitial spaces with a. wet evaporative adhesive to bind together the granules Awhile leaving free interstitial spaces, tightly compacting the mixture to reduce all the interstitial spaces to non-explosive magnitudes for a predetermined degree (if-concentration of explosive fluid, and applying heat to'dry and integrate the mixture while under coinpression to form an integral interstitial mass having fluid-containing interstices of nonexplosive magitudes and in which the granules have a ed relation to each other so that the interstitial spaces .will be' maintained at non-explosive magnltudes.

6. The process of making a filler for coni tainers tor storing explosive Huids, c onsi'stmg in mixing -porous granules providing 1nterstitial spaces between the granules with .suiiicient adhesive to bind together the ducing adhesion of the mixture while under compression to form an integral interstitial mass having smaller fluid-containing pores in the granules for a higher degree of con- 'centratlon of explosive fluid within the ranules and also having fluid-containing interstitial spaces between the granules for a lower degree of concentration of explosive fluid and in which the vgranules will have a fixed relation to each other so that the interstitial spaces between the granules will be permanently maintained at fixed nonexplosive magnitudes for the desired lower degree of concentration of explosive fluid therein.

7. The process'of Amaking a filler for containers for storing explosive iuids, consisting in mixing porous granules composed of material having iluid-absorptive and Huidconcentrative influence on the explosive fluid and providing interstitial spaces between the granules with suiiicient adhesive to bind together the granules while still leaving free interstitial spaces, tightly compacting the mixture to reduce all the interstitial spaces to non-explosive magnitudes for a iven degree of concentration of explosive uid, and

the granules for a lower degree of concentration of explosive fluid and in which the granules will have a fixed relation to each other so that the interstitial spaces between the granules will be permanently maintained at fixed non-explosive magnitudes for the desired lower degree of concentration of explosive uid therein.

8. The process of making a filler `for storing explosive iiuids, consisting in moistening granulated charcoal of cocoanut-shell having interstitial spaces between the granules with a wet evaporative adhesive to bind together the granules while leaving free interstitial spaces, tightly compacting the mixture to reduce all the interstitial spaces to non-explosive magnitudes for a given degree of concentration of explosive fluid, and applying-heat to dry and integrate lthe mix- .ture while under compression 'to form an inte al interstitial mass having ysmaller iui #containing pores in the ranules themflves. vfor a .higher degree o concentration .of explosive uidwithin the granules by' absor tion and concentration in their pores' anda so having fluid-containing interstitial.

spacesbetween thej granules for alower degree of concentration of explosive uid between the granules andv in which the granilles will have a' fixed relation to each other so.. that the auiacptaining interstitial x f spaces between the granules willbe permanently maintained at fixed non-explosive 15 4magnitudes for the desired lower degree of concentration of explosive fluid therein.

" In testimony ,whereof I have aixed' my signaturein presence of two witnesses. l y i y CLYDEJ. COLEMAN.

` Witneses: l v

' WM. ASHLEY KELLY,

ALBERT V. T. DAY. 

